How many crew did a tank have in ww2?

Introduction. The main battle tank crew has been reduced from five crew members (commander, gunner, loader, driver and co-driver) in World War II (such as Germany’s Tiger) to three or four crew members.

What did a tank gunner do in ww2?

The Gunner This job involved doing just what it says on the tin – operating the gun. Firing the main turret might sound like a simple enough task, but during the Second World War it became an integral and high-pressure role.

What does the assistant driver in a tank do?

The Driver This made it ridged and difficult to turn; and for this reason some crews would have an assistant driver to give the main man an extra pair of eyes. As well as moving the tank, he also had to double up as a mechanic.

What did tank drivers do in ww2?

We need some rest: everyone is worn out, mentally and physically[1]. The driver is responsible for controlling the tank when travelling and, most importantly, for manoeuvring during battle.

Why were German tanks superior in WW2?

German tanks boasted better armor protection and more firepower. The same American tanks were superior to their rivals in other important ways. The M-4 Sherman, in particular, helped the U.S. Army win the war—even though, in battle, German tanks destroyed them en masse.

Why would a tank driver have an assistant?

This made it ridged and difficult to turn; and for this reason some crews would have an assistant driver to give the main man an extra pair of eyes. As well as moving the tank, he also had to double up as a mechanic.

How good was the training for tank drivers during World War Two?

Interestingly, during World War Two there was a great disparity between the qualities of training provided to tank drivers of different armies. For example at the start of the war German tank driver training ‘was very thorough for new recruits’; whereas the level of training ‘continued to be a problem for the Red Army well into 1942’ [3].

How many tanks did the Soviet Union have in WW2?

The Soviet Union started and ended the war with more tanks than the rest of the world combined (18,000–22,000). At the start of World War II the most common tank in Soviet service was the T-26 (derived from the Vickers 6-ton), lightly armoured and armed with a 45 mm gun capable of penetrating most German tanks at normal combat ranges.

What role did tanks play in WW1?

Tanks have certainly played a large role in mechanising modern warfare. Their significance for both the First and Second World Wars cannot be underestimated, and they particularly played an integral part in the move away from the trench warfare of the early 20 th Century.